EP3301345A1 - Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen - Google Patents

Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3301345A1
EP3301345A1 EP16191140.9A EP16191140A EP3301345A1 EP 3301345 A1 EP3301345 A1 EP 3301345A1 EP 16191140 A EP16191140 A EP 16191140A EP 3301345 A1 EP3301345 A1 EP 3301345A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cylinder
holder
cylinder holder
supply system
switches
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16191140.9A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Helmut Franz
Kenth DROTT
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Priority to EP16191140.9A priority Critical patent/EP3301345A1/en
Priority to BR112019002976-1A priority patent/BR112019002976A2/pt
Priority to PCT/EP2017/074256 priority patent/WO2018060145A1/en
Priority to US16/336,981 priority patent/US20200032960A1/en
Priority to CA3043533A priority patent/CA3043533A1/en
Priority to AU2017336178A priority patent/AU2017336178A1/en
Publication of EP3301345A1 publication Critical patent/EP3301345A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C13/00—Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
    • F17C13/08—Mounting arrangements for vessels
    • F17C13/084—Mounting arrangements for vessels for small-sized storage vessels, e.g. compressed gas cylinders or bottles, disposable gas vessels, vessels adapted for automotive use
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/10—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
    • A61M16/1005—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours with O2 features or with parameter measurement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/18—Heads with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
    • A61M2202/02—Gases
    • A61M2202/0208—Oxygen
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/14—Detection of the presence or absence of a tube, a connector or a container in an apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2205/00—General characteristics of the apparatus
    • A61M2205/33—Controlling, regulating or measuring
    • A61M2205/3306—Optical measuring means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2209/00—Ancillary equipment
    • A61M2209/08—Supports for equipment
    • A61M2209/084—Supporting bases, stands for equipment
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/01—Shape
    • F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
    • F17C2201/0119—Shape cylindrical with flat end-piece
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/03—Orientation
    • F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
    • F17C2201/05—Size
    • F17C2201/058—Size portable (<30 l)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
    • F17C2205/01—Mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/0153—Details of mounting arrangements
    • F17C2205/018—Supporting feet
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
    • F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
    • F17C2221/011—Oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
    • F17C2223/0107—Single phase
    • F17C2223/0123—Single phase gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
    • F17C2223/03—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the pressure level
    • F17C2223/035—High pressure (>10 bar)
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/032—Control means using computers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/03—Control means
    • F17C2250/034—Control means using wireless transmissions
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0404—Parameters indicated or measured
    • F17C2250/0478—Position or presence
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2250/00—Accessories; Control means; Indicating, measuring or monitoring of parameters
    • F17C2250/04—Indicating or measuring of parameters as input values
    • F17C2250/0486—Indicating or measuring characterised by the location
    • F17C2250/0491—Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
    • F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
    • F17C2270/00—Applications
    • F17C2270/02—Applications for medical applications
    • F17C2270/025—Breathing

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cylinder holder, to a supply system and to a supply method for therapeutic oxygen according to the pre-characterizing parts of the independent claims.
  • oxygen is used during surgery to maintain tissue oxygenation under anaesthesia, in resuscitation and for mechanical ventilation of the lung for the treatment of respiratory depression.
  • Oxygen for use in hospitals may be delivered in liquid state by tank trucks and distributed to the points of use, e.g. wards or operation theatres, from a central distribution point via pipe systems and wall outlets.
  • oxygen cylinders are also in common use in hospitals, especially if smaller quantities of oxygen are required and/or if for other reasons providing a central oxygen supply system is not recommended, feasible and/or necessary.
  • a further important advantage of oxygen cylinders is their mobility, and therefore their applicability in patient transportation under uninterrupted oxygen supply.
  • the present application mainly describes the use of oxygen in medical contexts, the invention is useful in any field in which oxygen is provided in a gas cylinder, e.g. for industrial applications such as welding or heating or for laboratory applications where oxygen is used in chemical reactions.
  • a problem to evaluate the amount of cylinders needed e.g. in a ward in a hospital.
  • a certain number, e.g. eight, oxygen cylinders are placed in wall cylinder holders.
  • oxygen is needed for e.g. the transport of a patient, a cylinder is dismounted from the wall cylinder holder and typically hung to the bed of the patient.
  • a cylinder holder for a cylinder for pressurized storage of therapeutic oxygen comprises a receptacle arranged to hold the cylinder in a holding position.
  • the cylinder holder comprises one or more than one cylinder switch adapted to be actuated by the cylinder when received in the receptacle in the holding position.
  • Cylinder holders for gas cylinders are generally known from the prior art.
  • a cylinder holder is adapted to receive and hold a gas cylinder, especially a pressurized gas cylinder, of only a certain size.
  • a cylinder holder comprises a frame or another holding structure at least partially surrounding the cylinder to be held by the cylinder holder.
  • securing means such as chains or belts are provided which especially serve to prevent tilting over of the cylinder which could result in damage and dangerous situations, especially in the case of pressurized gas cylinders.
  • a cylinder holder reference is made e.g. to WO 2010/109206 A2 .
  • a cylinder holder in singular, the corresponding explanations equally apply to an arrangement of cylinder holders or a larger structure comprising the cylinder holder or several receptacles.
  • a larger structure is also referred to a cylinder holder but, in contrast to a cylinder holder for only one gas cylinder, comprises more than one receptacle to receive several cylinders.
  • the basic idea of the present invention is to have, in a corresponding cylinder holder, a button, actuator, contact or the like, herein generally referred to as a "switch", which is pressed down or otherwise operated or actuated when a cylinder is present in the receptacle of the cylinder holder and e.g. held in place by securing means as described. If a corresponding switch is thus operated by a corresponding cylinder, this indicates that a cylinder is present in the holder and is ready to be used for the purposes as mentioned above, e.g. for transporting a patient. If a cylinder holder according to the present invention e.g.
  • receptacles for receiving cylinders, and if each of these receptacles comprises one or more switches from which seven are operated, one can conclude that e.g. seven cylinders are present because, then, seven corresponding switching signals or signals indicating that a corresponding switch is operated, are present.
  • Such signals may especially be transmitted to a central station of a supply system for therapeutic oxygen, where such a signal may be evaluated as also explained below.
  • switch this term may include a mechanical switches or other switches as generally known in the art.
  • the present invention also may include photoelectric switches like light barriers which comprise a light emitting unit and a light detecting unit. If, in a corresponding light barrier arrangement, a cylinder is placed within the light path, the light path is interrupted and the light receiving unit may not receive light from the light emitting unit. On this basis, one may conclude that a cylinder is present and held in the receptacle.
  • Other types of photoelectric switches may also be provided, e.g. a simple light sensor switch are shaded with a corresponding cylinder is placed in the receptacle and thus covers the photo sensor.
  • photoelectric sensors may be erroneously operated, e.g. if a user covers the light path and/or a corresponding light detection unit with another item than a cylinder, special care must be taken to avoid false-positive detections.
  • a redundant further switch may be provided or the light path of the photoelectric switch may be placed in a position which is not easily or regularly accessible by an operator.
  • An example may be a key/keyhole arrangement wherein the light path may be arranged in a recession with which an, e.g. geometrically coded, protrusion of the cylinder is adapted to mate.
  • a corresponding switch may also be embodied as a switch based on detecting a conductivity and/or resistivity and/or inductivity signal, which only is present, e.g. between to contacts of a corresponding switch, as if a metallic element, like an oxygen cylinder, is present in the receptacle. Further types of switches are also contemplated with the context of the present invention. Corresponding switches may also be configured to be operated only if a certain switching force is exerted upon the switch, i.e. upon a mechanical switch, such a force corresponding to a filled cylinder and not an empty cylinder.
  • a differentiation may be made between a filled cylinder, an empty cylinder and/or another item not being a cylinder, which is e.g. misusedly placed in the receptacle.
  • the key/keyhole arrangement as described may be used.
  • a scale can be provided in the cylinder holder, the scale being adapted to establish the weight of the cylinder and therefore the content. Using a corresponding scale or balance, a differentiation between filled, and therefore ready to use, and empty cylinders may be made. This further contributes to patient safety and reliability of such a cylinder holder and a corresponding supply system.
  • the cylinder logistics e.g. in a hospital, may be improved and possible confusion about cylinder whereabouts and an the actual oxygen consumption may be reduced.
  • the oxygen consumption in a ward can be estimated and the refilling of full cylinders can be organized and scheduled according to the demands.
  • a corresponding cylinder holder is not a standalone unit but such a cylinder holder comprises a transmitter which is adapted to transmit a signal indicative of a switching state and/or a switching operation of the one or more than one cylinder switch.
  • the status of filling of the cylinder holder or of one or more receptacles within the cylinder holder may therefore communicate per central unit and evaluated therein. This further improves, in contrast to a standalone cylinder holder, the cylinder logistics, especially in larger medical units.
  • a priorisation and/or a distribution schedule for cylinders may be established. Such an approach is particularly time-saving, because checking of all cylinder holders within a hospital or every ward within a hospital can be omitted.
  • erroneous signals can be reduced. If, for example, one of the cylinder switches is unintentionally switched by an operating person or a visitor in the ward, for example, this does not yet result in a signal to be transmitted by the transmitter. A signal is only transmitted if both switches are operated, which preferentially is only be the case if the cylinder contacts or operates over its whole length both switches. If a cylinder is placed in such an arrangement, it is expected that both switches are operated more or less coincidentally. Therefore, switching operations of the two switches are expected within a certain time frame, other than a switching operation which is performed due to misuse of the cylinder holder. This further increases reliability and safety of a corresponding arrangement.
  • two different cylinder switches can be provided, the cylinder switches operating on different switching principles, e.g. a mechanical switch and at least one of a photoelectric switch, a resistive switch, a inductive switch etc.
  • the switching signal from one switch can be verified by the switching signal of another switch operating according to an orthogonal operating principle. The likelihood of a false-positive cylinder detection can thus be reduced.
  • the transmitter may also be adapted to transmit a signal indicative of the number of the cylinder switches which are in a defined state and/or which are operated within a predefined time frame.
  • These cylinder switches may, like before, also be provided within one receptacle or within one cylinder holder for only one cylinder.
  • a size of a cylinder placed in the receptacle may also be determined.
  • different cylinders for oxygen may comprise an identical diameter but a different height. Therefore, if cylinder switches are arranged in different heights, e.g. at the back of a cylinder holder, different numbers of them may be operated depending on the height, and, therefore, the volume of the cylinder.
  • a corresponding cylinder holder may thus provide, further to a mere detection whether a cylinder is present of not, also an indication of the size of the cylinder.
  • a cylinder holder according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises cylinder switches which are arranged in a way that depending on a size of the cylinder which is held in the holding position, a different number of the cylinder switches is operated.
  • different switching principles for mutual confirmation may be provided.
  • a cylinder holder further comprises one or more user switches, wherein the transmitter is adapted to transmit a signal indicative of the state of the one or more user switches.
  • a corresponding user switch may for example be used to indicate that a cylinder is still present but empty. If such a determination is not made by the cylinder holder itself, e.g. via a scale or balance as explained above or a corresponding switching force, a central unit of a corresponding oxygen supply system may be informed of empty cylinders which are to be replaced. This further provides an increased patient safety and improves the manageability of a corresponding oxygen supply system.
  • a corresponding cylinder holder may also be adapted to allow only for holding a cylinder of a predetermined size in the holding position.
  • a size determination as explained above can be omitted but a central unit used in a corresponding system may still rely on a signal from a corresponding cylinder holder because only a one size of cylinders may be placed in a corresponding receptacle and, therefore, if a signal indicating the presence of a cylinder in such a receptacle is present, also the size of the corresponding cylinder is known.
  • a cylinder holder is further adapted to transmit a signal indicative of a malfunction and/or a maloperation and/or a power failure of the cylinder holder. This further improves the reliability of corresponding system.
  • absence of any signal e.g. a trigger signal in the kind of a "dead man signal" indicating that the cylinder holder is operating or responsive, may be present, ensuring that a cylinder holder or holders are operable.
  • a "signal" may include any type of signal as known in the art, including wire-based signals or wireless signals, analogue or digital signals, optical, electrical or acoustical signals. Particularly preferred signals are wireless signals, especially Bluetooth, Wifi or Zigbee signals or signals corresponding to other transmission protocols or principles.
  • the present invention also relates to a supply system for therapeutic oxygen, the supply system comprising at least one cylinder holder for a cylinder for pressurized storage of therapeutic oxygen, the at least one cylinder holder comprising at least one receptacle arranged to hold the cylinder in a holding position.
  • the cylinder holder is a cylinder holder as explained above and below in all its embodiments.
  • such a supply system further comprises a central unit, the central unit being adapted to receive one or more than one signals of the transmitter of at least one cylinder holder.
  • a signal may be the signal which is indicative of the switching state and/or the switching operation of the one or more than one cylinder switch, the signal indicative of the number of cylinder switches which are in a defined state and/or which are operated within a predefined time frame, the signal indicative of the state of the one or more user switches and/or the signal indicative of the malfunction and/or maloperation and/or the power failure of the cylinder holder as explained above.
  • the central unit may be adapted to receive and process any number of such signals of any number of cylinder holders.
  • the central unit becomes a hub in a corresponding supply system which centralizes the basic function of the oxygen supply system.
  • the central unit may be connected to further units, e.g. computer nets or servers, or the central unit may be embodied as or as a part of a computer in an oxygen distribution facility.
  • the central unit may comprise a corresponding receiver adapted to receive a wireless or wired signal as explained above.
  • the central unit is further adapted to perform a grouping of the cylinder holders into two or more groups when a plurality of cylinder holders is present.
  • groups may for example be predefined by a user of the system and may correspond to different operating units of a hospital or different wards wherein cylinder holders with corresponding cylinders are present.
  • the oxygen (cylinder) needs of each group e.g. each ward, may be resolved and individually fulfilled. It is, in this embodiment, for example also possible to perform statistics on oxygen usage within the different groups. On the basis of corresponding usage data, oxygen supply may be tailored to the needs of different units or groups and may e.g. priorized for certain units.
  • the central unit is further adapted to calculate at least one characteristic of the two or more groups on the basis of the one or more than one signals received from the transmitter of at least one of the cylinder holders.
  • a characteristic may, as mentioned, be for example an oxygen usage over time, a peak oxygen usage, a frequency of oxygen usage and/or a duration of oxygen usage. Having such data available, corresponding supply system may be fine-tuned to avoid unnecessary oxygen delivery and/or oxygen shortages.
  • the corresponding system may particularly be used in connection with a so called intelligent cylinder.
  • the supply system further comprises at least one cylinder adapted to transmit a signal indicative of at least one characteristic of the cylinder.
  • Corresponding "intelligent" cylinders can communicate for example their content on the basis of a measurement as known in the art and further information via wireless signals (Bluetooth etc.).
  • a monitoring system also referred to as a "hub" which receives the signals from the intelligent cylinders and, in a computer system, can allocate the specific cylinder to the respective cylinder holder. Purely mechanical cylinders can not be identified in such a monitoring system.
  • the central unit may be further adapted to differentiate between cylinders which are adapted to transmit a signal indicative of at least one characteristic of the cylinder and cylinder switch are not adapted to transmit such a signal.
  • the supply system information may be provided at which positions how many intelligent cylinders and how many purely mechanical cylinders are present.
  • the present invention relates also to a supply method for therapeutic oxygen, which, according to the present invention, comprises at least one cylinder holder as explained above and/or that corresponding oxygen supply system is used. Also as to the advantages of such systems, reference is made to the explanations above.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a supply system for therapeutic oxygen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 a supply system for therapeutic oxygen according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and designated 100.
  • the system 100 comprises a cylinder holder 10 which, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises three receptacles 11 arranged to hold cylinders 20 for pressurized storage of therapeutic oxygen.
  • the leftmost receptacle 11 is shown as being supplied with a corresponding cylinder 20, the two receptacles 11 on the right are shown empty.
  • cylinder switches 12 are visible (they are covered in the leftmost receptacle 11 by the cylinder 20).
  • the cylinder switches 12 are adapted to be actuated by the cylinder when the cylinder is received in the receptacles 11 in the holding position. In the embodiment shown, two cylinder switches 12 are present, allowing for an improved detection as explained above.
  • a transmitter 13, which may be coupled to the cylinder switches 12, may be present, the transmitter 13 being adapted to transmit signals from the cylinder switches 12 and/or a user switch (not shown) as explained above.
  • the receptacles 11 of the cylinder holder 10 may be adapted to accommodate any size of cylinders, for example 2, 3, 5 and 10 litres.
  • the cylinders may be secured to the receptacles 11 or the cylinder holder 10 via a securing mechanism (not shown).
  • the system 100 further comprises a central unit 30 which is adapted to receive and process the signal or signals for the cylinder holder 10 as explained above.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Infusion, Injection, And Reservoir Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
EP16191140.9A 2016-09-28 2016-09-28 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen Withdrawn EP3301345A1 (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16191140.9A EP3301345A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2016-09-28 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen
BR112019002976-1A BR112019002976A2 (pt) 2016-09-28 2017-09-25 suporte de cilindro, sistema de suprimento e método de suprimento para oxigênio terapêutico
PCT/EP2017/074256 WO2018060145A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2017-09-25 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen
US16/336,981 US20200032960A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2017-09-25 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen
CA3043533A CA3043533A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2017-09-25 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen
AU2017336178A AU2017336178A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2017-09-25 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP16191140.9A EP3301345A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2016-09-28 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3301345A1 true EP3301345A1 (en) 2018-04-04

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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EP16191140.9A Withdrawn EP3301345A1 (en) 2016-09-28 2016-09-28 Cylinder holder, supply system and supply method for therapeutic oxygen

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20200032960A1 (pt)
EP (1) EP3301345A1 (pt)
AU (1) AU2017336178A1 (pt)
BR (1) BR112019002976A2 (pt)
CA (1) CA3043533A1 (pt)
WO (1) WO2018060145A1 (pt)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD924673S1 (en) * 2018-12-12 2021-07-13 Todd Bean Cylinder bracket
CN112483892B (zh) * 2020-11-20 2024-08-06 河南省日立信股份有限公司 六氟化硫移动回收车储罐组称重与移动模式切换装置
USD1013096S1 (en) * 2021-03-25 2024-01-30 Cast Products, Inc. Cylinder holder
WO2023107677A1 (en) * 2021-12-10 2023-06-15 Echeneidae Inc. Vehicular pressure vessel mounting system

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6168130B1 (en) * 1997-12-25 2001-01-02 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Cylinder cabinet
WO2008131080A1 (en) * 2007-04-20 2008-10-30 Ric Investments, Llc System and method for filling a portable liquified gas storage/delivery device
WO2010109206A2 (en) 2009-03-25 2010-09-30 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Holder for a cylindrical article
US20130145551A1 (en) * 2010-07-30 2013-06-13 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Medical gas tank holder for patient support apparatus

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8210047B2 (en) * 1996-01-23 2012-07-03 En-Gauge, Inc. Remote fire extinguisher station inspection
US6904913B2 (en) * 2002-10-24 2005-06-14 Acoba, Llc Method and system for delivery of therapeutic gas to a patient and for filling a cylinder
US9041534B2 (en) * 2011-01-26 2015-05-26 En-Gauge, Inc. Fluid container resource management
FR3018583B1 (fr) * 2014-03-12 2017-01-27 Air Liquide Capotage de protection pour bouteille de gaz avec ecran d’affichage electronique en position haute

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6168130B1 (en) * 1997-12-25 2001-01-02 L'air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'etude Et L'exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude Cylinder cabinet
WO2008131080A1 (en) * 2007-04-20 2008-10-30 Ric Investments, Llc System and method for filling a portable liquified gas storage/delivery device
WO2010109206A2 (en) 2009-03-25 2010-09-30 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Holder for a cylindrical article
US20130145551A1 (en) * 2010-07-30 2013-06-13 Hill-Rom Services, Inc. Medical gas tank holder for patient support apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2017336178A1 (en) 2019-03-07
CA3043533A1 (en) 2018-04-05
BR112019002976A2 (pt) 2019-05-14
US20200032960A1 (en) 2020-01-30
WO2018060145A1 (en) 2018-04-05

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